BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Justin Hastings of the Cayman Islands was playing so well on Friday that he felt there was no stopping him at the Latin American Amateur Championship. A two-hour storm delay occurred, but he shot 18 for a 7-under 65 and a share of the lead with Peru’s Patrick Sparks.
Sparks had two late bogeys at Pilar Golf Club and shot a 70.
They were at 8-under 136, one shot ahead of Paraguay’s Erich Fortlage (66) and Mexico’s Jose Antonio Safa (68) at the weekend.
The winner receives an invitation to play in the Masters in April, as well as an exemption to the US Open and British Open this year.
“It’s hard not to think about it,” Sparks said. “But again, I want to take it slow and enjoy these next two days, and we’ll see what happens at the end of the week.”
Hastings, a senior at San Diego State, is trying to become the second player from the Cayman Islands to win the Latin American Amateur. Aaron Jarvis (UNLV) won three years ago.
He opened with seven birdies in 13 holes until the storms moved in and caused a delay of just over two hours, as well as putting enough rain on the course to play soft, and long without any wind.
The longest putt of his eight birdies was more than 10 feet for Hastings, who said that showed how well he was hitting irons and wedges.
“To be honest, when I was 7 to 13 years old, I felt like I was so deep in a place that nothing could touch me – except to sit inside for two hours,” he said. “You try not to think about the score or anything and just try to keep focusing on the next shot you have.”
He played 14th when play resumed, and finished with one final birdie.
Cut to the top 50 and tied for 2-over 146. Among those who missed out was Jarvis, the 2022 champion when he was held in the Dominican Republic.
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